Earth, Fire, Water

FIERY LEGEND

Hippoi Athanatoi, anon

I keep getting Norse and Greek mythology muddled up. I want the Valkyries to ride the Hippoi Athanatoi as they sweep earthward to collect only the bravest of humans fallen in battle. Trouble is, the Hippoi Athanatoi are actually the immortal steeds of the Greek gods and heroes, not the Norse. Oh well, maybe time to create a new mythology….

Once upon a time when the earth still steamed and the skies swirled black and scarlet, the moa stalked the valley shadows and the fire-breathing Hippoi Athanatoi rode the winds above the mountains, their hooves striking lightning from the clouds.

One day Odin and Zeus gave Prometheus, Zeus’ errant son, a formidable task; to convert the base material of mud into priceless stone. Prometheus set himself to pondering the challenge and realised that to perform this mysterious alchemy, he would have to call on his sisters, the formidable Valkyries, to help capture the Hippoi Athanatoi and tame their fiery breath. The Valkyries, all maidens fair, had only to tie one of their golden locks around the neck of any creature for them to become gentle and compliant as a lamb. Prometheus knew though, that his sisters would exact a heavy price for the performance of this favour. Still, the bargain was set, and one misty morning Prometheus and his sisters set out on the long, dangerous journey toward the far mountains and the corral-lair of the Hippoi Athanatoi…..

Hippoi Athanatoi – noun, plural Greek myth. The immortal horses of the gods. These divine steeds were offspring of the four Wind-Gods who themselves drew the chariot of Zeus.

Zeus – nounThesupremedeityoftheancientGreeks.

Odin – nounScandinavian godofwar,poetry,knowledge,andwisdom

Prometheus – noun Greek myth. Titan son of Zeus, god of foresight. Story goes that Zeus gave Prometheus a job – to fashion humans out of clay and water. Prometheus did so and liked the result. Later on, when Zeus was cruel to humans, Prometheus stole fire from Zeus for them so they could be warm and eat good food. Thus the mixing of water, clay and fire. Sounds like Prometheus was a ceramist!